Become A Keyboard Shortcut Superman

InDesign is complex! Shortcuts make things simple when the work gets heavy. Imagine being able to keep your mouse and writing hand honed in on the creative aspects of your work, taking care of rote functions literally single-handedly.

Take a look at the shortcuts below to become an InDesign Superman (substitute "Command Key" for "Ctrl" if you are working on a Mac):

Shortcuts You Will Recognize from Word Processor Norms

You will probably recognize these from word processing, but these time savers are worth a review.

Ctrl+N

Creates a new document

Ctrl+O

Opens a previous document

Ctrl+W

Closes current document

Ctrl+S

Saves document

Ctrl+Z

Undo

Shift+Ctrl+Z

Redo

Important Functional Commands

Get your demos and revisions out with lightning speed with these two shortcuts under your belt.

Ctrl+E

Export your document outside of the native InDesign format

Ctrl+D

Places graphics and text

Window Commands

Set up your screen for optimal viewing using the shortcuts here, and change your perspective when needed on the fly.

Ctrl+=

Zooms screen in

Ctrl+ -

Zooms screen out

Ctrl+0

Fits the entire page in the window

InDesign Object Shortcuts

InDesign is based around objects. Master them, and your productivity will go through the roof.

Alt [Option] +Ctrl+0

Fits the entire spread in the window

Ctrl+1

Displays the document in its actual size

Ctrl+R

Shows or hides the document rulers

Ctrl+;

Shows or hides the guides

InDesign Text Shortcuts

The text stuff should be easy, and with the command list below, it will be.

Shift+Ctrl+Y

Return text to normal

Shift+Ctrl+B

Bold text

Shift+Ctrl+I

Italicized text

Shift+Ctrl+U

Underline text

Shift+Ctrl+=

Superscript text

Alt [Option]+Shift+Ctrl+=

Subscript text

Shift+Ctrl+L

Align text to left

Shift+Ctrl+R

Align text to right

Shift+Ctrl+C

Align text to center

Shift+Ctrl+J

Justify text left

Commit one block of shortcuts to muscle memory per week and take note of how much faster your work moves. Don't worry if you forget a few up front - taking a bit of time to invest in these shortcuts will pay dividends.

Designing creatively in InDesign requires you to make out time to read useful books and references like this one. It is not possible for anybody to become a professional in InDesign by sticking to old methods and styles of operation because you cannot be an expert in any field by doing only what you learnt at the beginner level. Create posters, flyers, brochures, magazines, newspapers, and books in a way they will attract appreciation from people that see them, and bring more clients to you through the information we have shared in this book.